NPA had enough time
FORMER president Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane Zuma is someone you either love or hate, depending on where you stand politically. However, whatever one may think of him, his recent arrest and court appearance seemed like a farce. Last Thursday, Zuma junior flew in from Dubai for the funeral of his brother Vusi. Awaiting his arrival at the airport were the police who were obviously aware of his movements in and out of the country.
He was apparently taken into custody but then released to his lawyer because the police did not have an arrest warrant.
He was instructed to appear in court on allegations of corruption, and so he did. Zuma jr walked into the court building of his own accord.
But when he appeared before a magistrate, he was shackled in leg irons, something most unusual. What made the police do this?
Was it an act of bravado, a publicity stunt or a crude attempt to humiliate the young man and those close to him.
Whatever the case, it failed. And so, too, did our National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) whose head managed to rediscover his backbone only after the former president was replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The NPA asked that the Duduzane Zuma matter be adjourned to January next year so that they can have more time to investigate the matter. Really?
What have they been doing before they decided that he be arrested? After all this time and all the information already in the public domain, do you still need another six months? No wonder Zuma appeared so relaxed and confident.
This said, the young man must except that the law must run its course. He has been charged with corruption in relation to an attempt to bribe then-deputy minister of finance Mcebisi Jonas by Ajay Gupta in his presence.
Jonas alleged that at a meeting on October 23, 2015, he was offered a bribe to become the minister of finance.
The charge is very serious and if found guilty the young Zuma could face a long time in prison. The alleged offence happened nearly three years ago. The NPA has had enough time to gather evidence.
It is in the public interest and that of justice that this case gets under way as soon as possible.